EAST COAST MAIN LINE

Network Rail Chief Executive Andrew Haines has identified the Eastern Region as where the infrastructure company will face one of its toughest tests in CP6.

Stretching from Southend-on-Sea at its southern end to north of Berwick-upon-Tweed on the England/Scotland border, a number of complex major infrastructure projects must be completed or commenced in the region - including Crossrail, the Midland and East Coast Main Line upgrade projects, and the TransPennine

Route Upgrade.

The ECML upgrade threatens to be particularly disruptive, with a large number of possessions required to complete individual aspects. These include the remodelling and upgrade of the King’s Cross throat, and the construction of a grade-separated junction at Werrington.

Meanwhile, large amounts of new rolling stock are also in the process of being introduced, including LNER’s Azuma fleet and more than 1,000 new trains for Greater Anglia.

“These projects are hugely significant, both locally and nationally, and are rightly the subject of massive political scrutiny,” said Haines.

“The answer is by being creative and innovative in our work. In Eastern, that means taking devolution further than before with four routes being supported by the region.

“I’ve focused on this route because it demonstrates the scale of challenge, but also the opportunity for us to show as an industry that we can confront the challenges and trade-offs that are inherent in delivering more for passengers on a congested route.

“We will not succeed unless we build the capability, effectively collaborate, and unequivocally commit to delivering an efficient set of outcomes for the taxpayer and rail users. I passionately believe that devolution provides the right architecture and flexibility to allow NR to respond dynamically.”